Changing jobs to public sector (Civilian) - would you?

[claretandamberforever]

I currently work for a GP in an admin role (GP's are self employed and up to press haven't been particularly hit by any public sector spending cuts) so I feel that my job here isn't at threat any time soon (although I have only worked here for 12 months) and it does help that reception staff are always leaving so I'd never be short of a reception job.

But I'm going for an interview for another part of the public sector where they have been hit massively (I used to work there and jumped ship 3 years ago as I was scared of being redundant). They are advertising for 2.5 posts (which are replacement posts, not new ones) and this is the first time in 3 years they have been allowed to advertise externally. They're permanant posts too.

I am a bit of a worry wort and left there as I was at risk of my job becoming at risk (what a bloody big mistake that was). My heart has always been there and I'm desperate to get back. But my head is saying that the public sector isn't the safest place to be in this recession.

So, would you risk a move to the public sector? It's not a high powered, high paid job, it's a scale 3

[whereiseveryone]

If your heart says yes then go for it.

If they then make you redundant you'll handle it.

If you're desperate for work then you can get another reception job.

Stop worrying about something that hasn't even happened.

You know what you need to do so just do it.

[littleblackno]

Go for it! I work in public sector and there are always threats of redundancy, ime it doesn't happen often as it's too expensive and they prefer to use other means to reduce staff - 'natural wastage' usually, people leave and they don't fill the post. If thats here your heart is and you feel you could easily get another job if it does work out then why not?

[claretandamberforever]

Thanks for the replies. I keep trying to tell myself that if I worried about everything I would never do anything - I will definitely go for it if I am offered

[mylittlemonkey]

I am actually trying desperately to hey into the public sector and considering travelling much further than I really want to for a job just because it is in the public sector. The benefits are really good not to mention the flexible working. To be honest I think in this climate you have just as much chance of being made redundant in public sector as private. I would definitely go for it. Good luck!

[EBearhug]

I work in the private sector, and we expect to hear of redundancies hitting one department every half year or so. There isn't any such thing as a safe job these days, public or private sector. There are just jobs.

It also depends massively on the area within public sector you're talking about. And if it's private sector, is it a small family firm, or massive multinational? What industry?

There are so many more factors to consider. Thinking of it in terms of public/private is pretty pointless, IMO.

[claretandamberforever]

I got the job - hopefully start at the end of Jan pending vetting